Nevada County picayune., 1887-03-23
indlall, l woultm't give rush for

great luck, as you say. This is indeed q windfall. Now. do you know what I am gong to do with this fifty dollarsW as ke held the bill in the open palm of his left hand and brought the right hand down upon it with an emphasizing whacK.
 Lay it up for rainy day, of course. and go shining around for another one to keep it company"
 No, sir; not by a jugful. l hay fgnred out precisely how l am go- ing to expend this money. and l will give you the exact result. First l will pay my hotel bill here. Next win buy my wife a calico dress and pair of shoes. Then with the remainder 1 will purchase a supply of bacon, four, molasses, sugar and coffee, and enjoy few square meals at my own table,
 "A very sensible way of dispos- ing of it and charitable, if not philanthropic way. Charity you know, begins at home.
 Yes rejoined Smoote, "and my roof has covered objects of charity for 10. these many months. But l thank God the dark days arc over. and the sun has burst forth it last. l wonder if Mrs. $. dreams of the pleasant surprise l have in store for her!'
 The ensuing morning, after breakfast had been disposed of, the two lawyers ordered their horses saddled and brought forth. McCown stepped up to the Cap tain'S office and settled" by re guessing Maj. Brooks to "charge 1t up" until the next time he came to town, as he was "short of change' just at that particular juncture. This appeared to be ell tirely satisfactory to our Bonitace, for with polite bow and bland smile he answered: "Certainly, Judge, certainly. That's all right"
 Smoote now pulled his green treasure from his vest pocket, and, without saying a word, tossed it upon the landlords desk. He felt as proud as Lucifer at the pos session of so much wealth, and, forgetting that ''pride goeth be fore fall," could Lot keep from putting on airs" about it. He threw the note down with care less lordly aii, as much as to say, There's plenty more where that came irom-who cares for eXpen- ses" and the man of hash so inter preted it.
 Now i: seems there was sort of standing rule at the Brooks hotel to compel the cash paying cust0- mers among the members of the bar to make up the losses sustain ed through the non-paying or long credit ones. Like our so.caled pro. tective tariff, the tribute was not levied in the form of a direct tax, bat was carried into operation in tne shape of pXorbitant hotel char .es against the fortunate ones who were blessed with the posSeesSion of fat pock books. Hence the victims, winced and grumbled to and among themselves at the ex- tortions, did not openly rebel against the unjust tax. Smoote was probably unaware of the eX. istence of this novel protective tariff' in the Brooks diminion, else he would have nestled before mak- ing such lavish display of his riches. Brooks picked up the bill, grasped each end before a thumb and forefinger, held it before his delighted eyes for a moment, and then, with bow and "Thank you, Mir. Smoote; thank you," dropped It into the till, locked the drawer and placed the key in his pocket. He made no tender of change. After waiting a minute OF two SmoOte ventnred to throw out a gentle hint.
 By the way, Major, l believe there is a little bal--'
 'Oh, that's alright: that's alright, Mir. Smoote," interrupted Brooks, who was very hard of hearing.
 But it was not alright with the lawyer by q good many leagues. He began to feel exceedingly m- comfortable touching the fate of his $50 note, although he was too proud 10 think of making scene about little matter like that.
 "I beg your pardon, Major, but isn't there some eh-" =
 "Oh, that's alright, Mir. SmOote; that's alright, my dear SIT. Don't mention it. No apologies are nec- esary. l know many members of your profession have been amiss in paying their bills, but then times are hard and money IS scarce, and we must not think harshly of them It is real treat to entertain so prompt paying guest as yon have always proved yourselfto to be. You have always paid your bills, and hope you will call often."
 But the change, Major; the change,r exclaimed Smoote, who was by this time growing deSper- ate. Then continuing, he shouted to the landlord as loud as his lion. lungs enabled him: That was q $50 bill l gave you!'
 "Oh. certainly certainly, fifty dolars-yes, yes, that's alrigh.,